Woman Between Islam and Western Society
6. The Rights of Husband and Wife
~ 362 ~
This shows that man has been bound to behave
gently with women not only in pleasant, but also in
unpleasant circumstances. This is an absolute
injunction applying to all situations. A man has to be
kind to his wife, whether or not she is to his liking.
The injunction on gentle behaviour with women is so
important that this is held to be the essential
condition for having more than one wife. That is the
permission to have more than one wife is given only
to those who can treat all of them with perfect justice.
The Qur’an says: “But if you fear that you shall not be
able to deal justly (with them) then only one.”
10
The Qur’anic injunction of “gentle behavior”
11
covers all those things human nature demands, and
whatever is considered necessary, by reason or by
the
shari’ah.
This fair treatment is considered so
important in Islam that the Prophet said: “The best
among you is one who is best for his family.”
12
THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF A WOMAN AS A
WIFE
How should a woman or a wife live with her
husband? This has been instilled into the woman by
